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Junior Ladies of Charity Visit St. John’s Bread & Life

Juniors president, Ariana Yepez, and LC Juniors Co-Moderator Anna Rocchio
Juniors president, Ariana Yepez, and LC Juniors Co-Moderator Anna Rocchio

Easter break in April provided a unique opportunity for the Junior Ladies of Charity from St. John’s Preparatory School. Accompanied by St. John’s University Ladies of Charity Junior moderators Pat Mulé and Anna Rocchio and LC member Jen Borg, the Juniors visited St. John’s Bread & Life in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. The experience left an indelible impression on the group. Juniors president, Ariana Yepez, reflected on the day’s events:

“I had the opportunity to work in the kitchen, where we helped prepare and pack lunches for people in need. The meals we put together included cereal, milk, cookies, and fruit, seemingly ordinary yet substantial items that could bring comfort and nourishment and make a difference in someone’s day. I was responsible for carefully placing the food into containers, ensuring each was filled properly and neatly, knowing that these packages would soon be handed out to individuals and families who rely on this support. 

“Though the service hours we earn through school are part of a requirement, that’s never why we do it. What matters most is the feeling of purpose and connection that comes from helping others, even in a small way. 

“It’s humbling to take part in something that directly touches lives, and being behind the scenes in the kitchen gave me a deeper appreciation for the volunteers who show up consistently, not for credit, but simply to give.”

The Juniors plan a return visit to St. John’s Bread & Life in June.


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    Evening of Hope

    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University offers you the opportunity to sponsor the annual “Evening of Hope,” at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, NY on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm. 

    This year we are delighted to confer the “Spes Unica” Award on Alice McDermott, a distinguished professor and author whose prize-winning novels recognize the dignity of all people and the innate search for meaning and redemption. 

    According to Rev. Robert Lauder, Professor at St. John’s University, as an author, the “Catholic horizon of Alice McDermott’s novels gives profound meaning to her insightful and joyful attention to humanity.”

    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University, a 501 (c) (3) organization, is dedicated to assisting those who are on the margins of society, with particular emphasis on the needs of women and children and their education. A few of our programs include:

    • School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center, a literacy program for women in Woodhaven, Queens; 
    • St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, St. Mary’s Kids, Bayside, NY; and the 
    • Rev. Michael D. Whalen, C.M. Award, given to a Junior Lady of Charity at St. John’s Preparatory High School who will attend St. John’s University upon graduation. 

    In addition to these local educational projects, we provide both hands-on and financial assistance to those on the margins, wherever the need arises. In the fall of 2023, the Ladies provided over 100 backpacks filled with school supplies for the children of migrants in Queens, NY. All donations are used to support our projects. 

    Please help us in our endeavors and sponsor our Evening of Hope! Together we can help those most in need and turn our Evening of Hope into a springboard for a Lifetime of Hope.

    Please click  to see several sponsorship opportunities and to pay online or to submit check with mail-in form. Kindly submit by March 20, 2024.


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    Lisa A. Gatti to be Honored with 2026 Spes Unica Award

    Lisa Gatti, Riding Diva at Pal-O-Mine

    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University will present the St. Louise de Marillac Spes Unica Award to Lisa A. Gatti, founder of Pal-O-Mine, at the annual “Evening of Hope” on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The event will take place at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, Queens, from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. Ms. Gatti will deliver the keynote address.

    Lisa A. Gatti has had a lifelong love affair with horses — a passion that inspired her to launch Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, a nonprofit that provides a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning, and healing for children and adults with disabilities, veterans, people on the autism spectrum, individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, cancer survivors, and others. 

    The organization has grown enormously since its founding in 1995, with 25 horses, a vocational program, and much more at its 13-acre farm in Islandia, N.Y.

    Gatti, who began her career as a special education teacher, helps local government identify the most crucial issues facing the special needs population as a member of the Town of Islip Disability Advisory Committee, and she chairs the Board of Directors of global equine-assisted psychotherapy organization EAGALA. 

    Gatti served on the board of Autism Communities, lending her expertise on vocational opportunities for those on the spectrum. These experiences helped Gatti shape Pal-O-Mine into one of the nation’s most-trusted therapeutic equine organizations. She has an 18-year-old daughter, the pride and joy of her life.

    “Evening of Hope” begins at 5:30 pm. Participation will support the charitable works of the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University.


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    Junior Ladies of Charity Stitch Hope for Girls Around the World

    The Junior Ladies of Charity at St. John’s Prep and Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy are giving back, with a needle and thread.

    The girls are creating stylish pieces from scratch through the organization “Dress a Girl Around the World,” so that other girls can feel their best, regardless of their circumstances.

    Pat Mulé and Anna Rocchio, moderators for the Junior Ladies of Charity, and members Belenna Lauto, Cindy Phillips, and Mary O’Donoghue have helped the Juniors improve their sewing skills. They were all amazed and proud of how much progress the group made. We all look forward to seeing the results of their hard work and dedication. 


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  • December 2020 Newsletter

    December 2020
    Merry Christmas
    As we prepare for the birth of our Lord, the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University wish you the gift of HOPE for Christmas.
    We have been blessed by the guidance of our Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., who led us in a virtual Advent Retreat to discover the meaning of HOPE in these challenging times. As he taught us, “hope gives strength to the present … it summons us to use our resources well …it is a commitment to life. Hope orients us to the future.” HOPE is a special gift from God.

    2020 challenged us in so many ways — our lives revolved around remote learning, zoom meetings, social distancing and hand sanitizer. We mourned the loss of loved ones and prayed for the speedy recovery of others. We learned how to pivot (the buzz word of 2020) and engaged in outreach projects that redefined service.
    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University wish you and your loved ones, a Merry Christmas and New Year filled with Peace, HOPE and Love.
    Our Service Projects
    Since 2009 we have cheerfully celebrated the spirit of giving with the School Sisters of Notre Dame Educational Center (Woodhaven, Queens) at an annual Christmas Party. This year we were not able to host our traditional Christmas breakfast but we were able to continue our tradition of offering gifts to each of their students. Practicing social distancing we put gift bags together for 50 women and took a moment to reflect on the spirit of Christmas.
    Working together at Our Lady of Fatima Food Pantry
    The Junior Ladies of Charity at St. John’s Prep in Astoria, Queens, learned how to make lap blankets by hand through a zoom tutorial lead by Anna Rocchio. These blankets will be distributed to residents at Ozanam Home in Queens. Since October the Ladies of Charity have lovingly knit more than 50 blankets for our brothers and sisters.
    MOMMAS HOUSE
    In 2019 we honored Patricia Shea, the Founder and Executive Director of Mommas House with the Spes Unica award at our Evening of Hope event. Mommas House began in 1986 with a home in Malverne, NY offering support to young mothers (ages 18-24) and their babies. Mommas House provides physical shelter and a stable environment to young mothers who are nurtured and taught to provide child care and parenting skills while encouraged to obtain schooling and job training.
    The Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University celebrate Life and the joy of Christmas with Mommas House. This year we cheerfully and safely collected gifts for for new Moms and their babies.
    Prayer & Spirituality
    We pray for grace in performing all actions to help our neighbors with charity, humility, and simplicity. Our prayers focus on love and unity, so needed in our world and our country today.
    Visit our website to download a copy of The Ladies of Charity Prayer
    Join us, every Monday at 5 pm via Zoom. We continue to pray for our loved ones, neighbors, our country and our world. For more information on how to participate, email Pat Mulé

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    Ladies of Charity Visit Miraculous Medal House

    Ladies of Charity presentation for seminarians at the Miraculous Medal
    Mary Ann Dantuono speaks to the seminarians about the Ladies of Charity work.

    St. John’s University Ladies of Charity recently visited Miraculous Medal House in Queens, N.Y., to meet with Vincentian seminarians studying at the University. This gathering of two branches of the Vincentian Family fostered collaboration and mutual learning.

    The afternoon featured presentations on the history and work of the Ladies of Charity, an organization founded by St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac in 1617 in Châtillon, France. This organization was the first of what is now recognized as the Vincentian Family. 

    The seminarians explored the extensive programs implemented by the Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University, both locally and on national and international levels. 

    The day concluded with a productive discussion about potential collaboration between the two groups. Both parties look forward to future meetings together.

    By Kathleen Prager


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    Trunk or Treat 2025

    The Ladies of Charity and Junior Ladies of Charity at St. John’s University embraced a Sesame Street theme for this year’s St. Mary’s Hospital Annual Trunk or Treat, held on October 20th. And our trunk was Cookie Monster! Kudos to our members who decorated the trunk!

    At the end of a fun-filled day under beautiful skies, it was difficult to decide who enjoyed the event more—the Ladies and Juniors of Charity, or the Halloween Trunk or Treaters in their delightful costumes!


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